Former sports announcer joins Swiss assisted-suicide organization

2017/11/10 15:32:26

Image taken from Fu Da-ren's Facebook page

Taipei, Nov. 10 (CNA) Famed former sports announcer Fu Da-ren (傅達仁) took to Facebook Thursday night to announce that he has joined Swiss non-profit organization Dignitas where he plans to undertake physician-assisted suicide.

The 84-year old Fu, who is currently in Switzerland on the "last trip of his life" with family, said that he found the organization through Facebook and recently enrolled as a member, according to the social media post.

Only individuals who are members of Dignitas can ask the society for physician-assisted suicide. Dignitas considers the soundness of mind of the petitioner as well as the seriousness of his or her condition before approving the decision.

Fu has been vocal about the need to legalize physican-assisted suicide in Taiwan since December 2016, when he petitioned President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) to legalize the practice following a diagnosis of terminal pancreatic cancer.

His hope for assisted suicide in Taiwan seemed to have vanished when the Ministry of Health and Welfare responded to his petition by saying the legalization of such a practice required serious consideration.

Fu, who reportedly has just two months left to live, said he is grateful to have found an organization abroad that provides the service for both Swiss and international members.

Fans and friends on Facebook expressed their sadness but also noted their respect and support for Fu's decision to end his life.